Thank you for your interest in the post. We wish to employ from January or Easter 2019 a well-qualified, enthusiastic and committed Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages who can deliver high quality teaching of French and German, preferably able to deliver German to KS4 and KS5. We seek an effective team member who can also take the lead and show initiative. The post is permanent and is full time. The position would suit a NQT or experienced teacher This is an excellent opportunity to join one of Oxfordshire’s largest and most successful schools judged ‘Outstanding by OFSTED in the latest inspection. Effective administrative systems support the two sites. Students are well-behaved and motivated, and there is a strong sense of community in Thame, with a committed parent support base.

We are exceptionally strong in terms of pastoral support for all students and have the highest expectations for individual achievement whatever the starting points. Outside the classroom there are wonderful extra-curricular activities for all. Students leave the school successful and well-rounded individuals. There is a ‘buzz’ about learning in the school and our students are fortunate to be supported in their learning by dedicated teachers and support staff. Staff training and professional development are always a developmental priority and many of our staff move on to promotions in other schools.

The School

The school is the only school serving the market town of Thame and surrounding villages. It is a popular school and always oversubscribed. It is a split site school – Years 7-9 on our Lower School site and Years 10 -13 on our Upper School site. There are around 500 students in our Sixth Form and we attract many students from other schools, post-16. Teamwork is a key feature of school life and so is partnership with our feeder primary schools. There is a strong drive to establish powerful curriculum links cross phase with teachers collaborating on a range of projects.

The Languages Faculty

The school has a strong commitment to teaching Modern Languages. This is reflected in the quality of our accommodation, our resources and in the curriculum we offer. The team comprises 10 teachers with very good part-time administrative support on each site. The Head of Faculty is supported by Team Leaders for French, German, Spanish and Key Stage 3. We also have three full-time Foreign Language Assistants. Team members are motivated, friendly and very supportive. Although staff may work mainly on one site, all have a timetable which includes teaching across a variety of year groups.

Curriculum

French and German are taught to roughly equal numbers of students as a first foreign language in Years 7 and 8. From Year 9 students have the opportunity to study a second foreign language, which may be Spanish, French or German. In Years 10 and 11 students can study French, German or Spanish to GCSE and we have had a 100% pass rate in recent years. We also offer an ABC Award in Practical Languages in French German and Spanish. French, Spanish and German are taught to A and AS Level. The faculty is committed to Assessment for Learning techniques across all Key Stages. Students have access to an AQA course book and a personal log in for Kerboodle. The Faculty has a very strong ethos of sharing good practice and resources.

At Key Stage 3 students are set after the first term in Year 7. There are comprehensive schemes of work and a bank of assessments at different levels for each subject in each year group. The faculty has introduced textbooks relating to the National Strategy Framework for Languages in Years 7, 8 and 9. All students are encouraged to bring dictionaries to lessons.

At Key Stage 4 there is some setting but the majority of students are taught in mixed attainment groups.